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Brussels angry over exclusion of EU flag at ESC

by AI | 14.May 2024 | Europe in brief AI

Last weekend, the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) took place – without the European flag. The EU Commission expressed dissatisfaction that the EU flag was not allowed to be displayed at the event. The European Broadcasting Union, organizer of the ESC, announced that the flag policy this year had been enforced more strictly “due to heightened geopolitical tensions”.

The ESC is the largest singing competition in the world. In the context of the Gaza war, there had been repeated Israel-critical demonstrations on the streets of Malmö, where participants often showed Palestinian flags. Photo: Jens Büttner/dpa

Brussels – The EU Commission has complained that the European flag should not be displayed at the Eurovision Song Contest finals over the weekend. It is very regrettable, said a spokesperson for the agency on Monday, that the emblem of EU member countries and other states belonging to the Council of Europe could not be shown.

“From our perspective, there is absolutely no reason why this flag, which is also the flag of the member states of the European Union and the Council of Europe, should be banned from the venue,” said the spokesperson. They are in contact with the ESC organizer EBU (European Broadcasting Union).

The EBU stated, as in previous years, flags of the participating countries and rainbow flags were allowed in Malmö. There was no explicit prohibition of the EU flag. However: “Due to heightened geopolitical tensions, the flag policy at this year’s event was more strictly enforced by the security forces.” The Vice-President of the EU Commission, Margaritis Schinas, told the news portal “Politico” that many friends and acquaintances had reported being prevented from entering the venue with their EU flags.

The history of the flag with the twelve yellow stars on a blue background dates back to the year 1955. At that time, the Council of Europe decided to adopt the design of the flag as its emblem. The Council of Europe is not an EU institution. Established in 1949 as the first major European post-war organization, the Council of Europe is committed to the protection of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Its 46 members include all EU countries and numerous other states.

In 1983, the European Parliament decided to adopt the flag for the European Communities. In 1985, it was adopted by the heads of state and government of all member countries as the official symbol of the later European Union. (May 13)